Whole Foods Market - Company Infohttp://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/tags/company-info
enOur Animal Welfare Standards: Separating Fact from Fictionhttp://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/our-animal-welfare-standards-separating-fact-fiction
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/person/walter-robb">Walter Robb</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>Editor's note: The President and CEO of The Humane Society of the Unites States, Wayne Pacelle, wrote on his own blog about this issue. Read his thoughts about <a href="http://blog.humanesociety.org/wayne/2015/09/whole-foods-deserves-whole-praise-for-anti-factory-farming-leadership.html">Whole Foods Market’s anti-factory farming leadership</a>.</em></p>
<p>Recently, there has been noise generated by PETA that questions the animal welfare standards we use to certify our partner farmers. I want to help set the record straight and reaffirm Whole Foods Market’s unwavering commitment to sourcing from responsible animal welfare practices and standards.</p>
<p>We all need to be clear about PETA’s mission. PETA is dedicated to ending animal agriculture and animal meat consumption. Period. The allegations they hurl at Whole Foods Market, and the many other targets on their hit list, are generated with that specific agenda in mind.</p>
<p>We firmly believe PETA’s lawsuit filed in California is without merit and is a waste of both the court’s time and taxpayer money. Like the silly <a href="http://gizmodo.com/thanks-to-peta-the-monkey-selfie-controversy-will-neve-1732401018">“monkey selfie” lawsuit</a> PETA filed against a photographer the same week they sued our business, PETA’s lawsuit against us is clearly designed to generate publicity while smearing our reputation. Oddly, their suit against us was filed in California, more than 2,800 miles and three time zones away from where our customers can buy the local pork products sourced from Sweet Stem Farm in 22 stores in three states.</p>
<p>Here’s what I want to make sure you know:</p>
<ul><li>We have spent years working with <a href="http://www.globalanimalpartnership.org/">Global Animal Partnership</a> developing and implementing very rigorous standards for animal welfare and husbandry that extends to every one of our beef, chicken, pork and turkey suppliers; the most rigorous–by far–of any grocer. That’s a point of pride for us.</li>
<li>Representatives from PETA participated in the discussions that led to the animal welfare standards we use today.</li>
<li>Our meat teams help us ensure products are sourced from suppliers that are dedicated to responsible farming practices. This includes our teams vetting every meat supplier through a stringent approval process to ensure they meet or exceed Whole Foods Market’s quality standards.</li>
<li>All beef, chicken, pork and turkey in our fresh meat cases must come from producers who have achieved certification to the <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/mission-values/animal-welfare/5-step-animal-welfare-rating">Global Animal Partnership’s (GAP) 5-Step® Animal Welfare Rating</a> designed to promote farm animal welfare. GAP – a nonprofit collaboration between farmers, ranchers, animal welfare advocacy organizations, scientists and retailers like us – is committed to continual improvement of farm animal welfare. </li>
<li>Independent third party auditors ensure GAP-certified producers are meeting Step standards, thereby providing transparency to specific production practices.</li>
<li>All of our meat is no-antibiotics, no added hormones and no animal by-products in feed – ever.</li>
<li>As a condition of doing business with Whole Foods Market, partner farmers must affirm their commitment to our standards throughout their supply chain. And if we are informed of a potential issue on a supplier farm, we rapidly investigate to determine the facts and take appropriate action.</li>
</ul><p>Since we first opened our doors more than 35 years ago, co-founder and co-CEO John Mackey, myself and thousands of passionate, dedicated team members have worked tirelessly to change the food industry for the better. Over the years we have successfully pushed that bar higher and challenged and encouraged players in the food processing and production industries to raise their animal welfare standards.</p>
<p>We are far from finished, but our leadership role begs the question: Why does PETA choose to focus its venom on those who are tangibly and dramatically improving farm animal welfare by providing accountability through collaboration, transparency of production and traceability to source? These are the foundations for the development of a truly responsible pasture-based form of animal agriculture.</p>
<p>From 1981, when we stopped selling meat with added hormones, to the introduction of our ground-breaking Global Animal Partnership 5 Step® Animal Welfare Rating program in 2011, we have gone well above and beyond anyone else in the grocery industry, and that fact is beyond dispute.</p>
<p>We remain committed to providing the best quality and ethically sourced meat, fish, and poultry products, and are not distracted by the cynical, publicity-driven efforts of our critics. Whole Foods Market’s No. 1 priority is to ensure that our customers have the information they need to make the best, most informed choices for them and their families, and that every product on our shelves meets the rigorous quality standards that set us so far apart from our competition.</p>
<p>We thank you for your ongoing loyalty to Whole Foods Market!</p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 25 Sep 2015 17:26:41 +0000Walter Robb3985851 at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.comAddressing Weight and Pricing: A Message to Our Customershttp://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/addressing-grocery-weight-and-pricing
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/person/whole-foods-market">Whole Foods Market</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UWUn2LYSb6g" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>A Message to Whole Foods Market Customers</strong></p>
<p>As has been reported in the media, our New York City stores were audited by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) for weights-and-measures errors, such as those that cause improper price labeling on some of the products that are produced, packaged and labeled in our stores.</p>
<p>We want to provide our customers with the following information:</p>
<p><strong>Unintentional errors </strong></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in;">Any errors were unintentional, and any claim that we are “systematically overcharging” customers is completely inaccurate. The New York DCA found errors that were not in favor of customers as well as errors that were benefitting customers. Even errors in customers’ favor are considered a violation.</p>
<p><strong>Hands-on approach</strong></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in;">The reason for many of these inadvertent errors is because Whole Foods Market packs many of its fresh products in our stores instead of in factories or distribution centers. This involves team members handling, weighing and labeling containers of products, such as with cut produce and fresh squeezed juices. This is who we are and how we deliver the freshest products to customers, but this also means there will be some unintentional human errors.</p>
<p><strong>Small percentage of errors</strong></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in;">Our goal is always 100% accuracy. While some of our audits reflect 100% accuracy rates, in others, our scores have reflected errors in the weighing and price labeling of our products in a small percentage of instances.</p>
<p><strong>Types of errors </strong></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in;">Errors can include mislabeled content weights (both higher and lower), which could be a result of scales not being calibrated correctly, not deducting the proper amount for a container, or moisture loss in the product over time. Errors can also include pricing discrepancies such as a price change not being entered into the system or a sale sign that has not been taken down in time.</p>
<p><strong>Steps we are taking</strong></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in;">While inadvertent mistakes are inevitable, our goal is zero mistakes. We are improving our training regarding in-store packaging, weighing and labeling processes. Additionally, we have implemented a companywide third-party auditing process for all of our stores, and we will provide an update in the next 45 days so that customers can follow our progress.</p>
<p><strong>Refund Policy </strong></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in;">We apologize to our customers for any discrepancies that may have occurred. If customers think an item is priced incorrectly, we encourage them to ask the cashier to double check. If it is, and not in the customer’s favor, we will refund the full price and give you the item free. Our goal is 100 percent price accuracy.</p>
<p>Our number one priority is to ensure that our customers have a great experience every time they shop at Whole Foods Market. Falling short of a great experience is not acceptable to us, and we are committed to doing better.</p>
<p>We thank you for the trust that you have put in Whole Foods Market, and we will do everything we can to continue to earn that trust.</p>
<p>We would like to hear what you have to say and invite you to send your thoughts and questions to <a href="mailto:feedback@wholefoods.com">feedback@wholefoods.com</a>. </p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 29 Jun 2015 21:20:42 +0000Whole Foods Market3949001 at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.comOur Family’s Getting Biggerhttp://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/our-familys-getting-bigger
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<p>We’ve announced the name of our new store concept: <strong>365 by Whole Foods Market</strong><strong>™</strong>! Our new family of stores will begin opening in 2016.</p>
<p>Hungry for details? 365 by Whole Foods Market’s president Jeff Turnas gives the scoop on the store format, products and more on our co-CEO <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/introducing-our-new-store-concept-365-whole-foods-market">Walter Robb’s blog</a>. </p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 11 Jun 2015 19:08:00 +0000Whole Foods Market3943016 at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.comIntroducing Our New Store Concept: 365 by Whole Foods Market™http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/introducing-our-new-store-concept-365-whole-foods-market
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/person/jeff-turnas">Jeff Turnas</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
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<p><em>Jeff Turnas, a 20-year Whole Foods Market</em>®<em> veteran, is president of</em> <em>365 by Whole Foods Market.</em> <em>Jeff has held key leadership positions, including as president of the company’s North Atlantic region and most recently as president of its United Kingdom region.</em></p>
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<p>Hey everyone, I’m here to reach out with an exciting update. In May, we announced we’d launch a new innovation to help meet the exploding demand for more natural and organic foods: a smaller-store concept where value meets quality. Today, we’re introducing the official name for the newest member of the Whole Foods Market Family — <strong>365 by Whole Foods Market</strong><strong>™!</strong></p>
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<p><br /><strong>Value, Convenience and Standards</strong></p>
<p>“365” in the name celebrates our belief that fresh healthy foods can be readily available to more people in an affordable way every day…365 days a year. It also tips our hat to our popular <em>365 Everyday Value</em> brand, which our shoppers seek out for quality, transparency and great value — the same attributes to come with our smaller-store format. We'll work up a modern, consistent design, use innovative technology and carefully choose just the right product mix to ensure an efficient and rewarding shopping experience.</p>
<p>In short, our <strong><em>365 by Whole Foods Market</em></strong> stores will offer a simple way to shop for healthy, high-quality food at great prices. And the great news is, we'll stick to the same top-notch <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/about-our-products/quality-standards">Quality Standards</a> we’ve all spent the last 35 years creating. </p>
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<p><strong>What’s Next?</strong></p>
<p>The entrepreneurial spirit of the startup mode is invigorating! We're already busy developing the recipe for an exciting and fun retail experience to bring healthy, fresh affordable foods to more communities.</p>
<p>We’re stoked!</p>
<p>Jeff</p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9IJgOE6TIF8" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Watch for more information at <a href="http://www.wfm.com/365">365WFM.com</a>.</p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 11 Jun 2015 00:08:42 +0000Jeff Turnas3942831 at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.comWhat’s Brewing: We Want to Hear from You!http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/whats-brewing-we-want-hear-you
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/person/paige-schilt">Paige Schilt</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p></p><div class="media media-element-container media-media_original media-float-right"><div id="file-385726" class="file file-image file-image-jpeg">
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</div>In our constant quest to make Whole Foods Market even better, we make a practice of consulting the real experts — our customers.
<p>Think about it — who better to help us improve our stores than the people who use them? That’s why shoppers are invited to join us for light snacks and good conversation.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>When: Thursday November 13th, from 6pm – 8pm</strong></p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>Where: <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/list">Your local store</a></strong></p>
<p>This won’t be the first time we’ve invited shoppers to share feedback over snacks. We hosted a similar event last year, and found that customers were full of good ideas. Your suggestions ranged from faster checkout times to more special diet options and more variety on the hot bars.</p>
<p>It didn’t take us long to put your ideas into action. For example, in response to requests for faster checkout times, we enhanced training and support for our cashiers and baggers. We added new back-up cashiers and even created a new position. The “Front Runner” is a dedicated team member who provides an extra level of service at the register. Similar to the concierge in a hotel, the Front Runner helps with all kinds of customer needs, from checking a price to assisting customers to their cars.</p>
<p>With all of this positive momentum from last year, we’re looking forward to hearing from you again this year. If you can, please take a moment to stop by your local store on November 13<sup>th</sup> from 6pm-8pm to meet with the store leadership team and tell them what’s on your mind.</p>
<p>For additional details or any questions, please contact the customer service team at your <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/list">local store</a>.</p>
<p>Have a suggestion but can’t make it to the event? Tweet your suggestions with the hashtag #wfmwishlist or leave us a note in the comments.</p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 06 Nov 2014 21:00:00 +0000Paige Schilt2736871 at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.comIntroducing 90 New Certified Cheese Professionalshttp://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/introducing-90-new-certified-cheese-professionals
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/person/lindsay-robison">Lindsay Robison</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p></p><div class="media media-element-container media-media_original media-float-right"><div id="file-367891" class="file file-image file-image-jpeg">
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</div>Think you’re a cheese whiz? 90 Whole Foods Market cheesemongers proved they’re the best of the best by slicing their way through the rigorous third-annual <a href="http://www.cheesesociety.org/events-education/certification-2/">American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional™ (CCP) Exam</a> and passing.
<p>In total, 153 cheesemongers passed this year’s exam. There are now 406 CCPs in the world – 237 (58 percent) are from Whole Foods Market! The new class of Whole Foods Market CCPs represents two countries, 25 states and 78 stores.</p>
<p>The exam tests the cheese knowledge, passion and skills of each cheese professional that passes the exam. Cheesemongers are tested on storage and handling, nutrition, distribution, raw materials, the ripening process, the making process, and categories and types of cheeses.</p>
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<p>Rebecca Roppolo from the Vineyard store in San Antonio, TX just passed the exam. She holds the distinction of being a Certified Cicerone (beer professional) and is an introductory level Sommelier (wine professional). For her, the guidance from global cheese buyer Cathy Strange along with six months of intensive study and training with industry professionals rounded out the learning experience.</p>
<p>Is there a CCP in a store near you? For a complete list of Certified Cheese Professionals, visit <a href="http://www.cheesesociety.org/events-education/acs-certified-cheese-professionals/">cheesesociety.org/events-education/acs-certified-cheese-professionals/</a>.</p>
<p>If you’re in the US, visit your store on Tuesday, September 16 from 6-7:30 local time for the next <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/cheese-nights-heating-come-melt-us">free Cheese Nights</a> sampling event — all about grilling cheeses — to meet your local cheesemongers!</p>
<p>What do you wish you knew about cheese?</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 08 Sep 2014 20:00:00 +0000Lindsay Robison2203086 at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.comGreenpeace Ranks Whole Foods Market #1 For Seafood Sustainabilityhttp://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/greenpeace-ranks-whole-foods-market-1-seafood-sustainability
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/person/carrie-brownstein">Carrie Brownstein</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="media media-element-container media-full"><div id="file-333061" class="file file-image file-image-png">
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<p>Greenpeace ranked us #1 again in their annual ranking of seafood sustainability at US supermarkets! It’s an honor to be recognized by Greenpeace for our seafood industry leadership. We work hard to set the bar high for responsible aquaculture and fishery practices and are committed to supporting the supplier partners who are on the water helping to maintain abundant fish populations and ecosystems for future generations.</p>
<p>Greenpeace’s 2014 <a href="http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/oceans/seafood/">Carting Away the Oceans (CATO) VIII report</a> ranks 26 major retailers in four areas: policy, initiatives, labeling and transparency and red-list inventory. For the fourth time in eight years, Whole Foods Market earned the top spot, claiming both the highest overall score and the strongest sustainable seafood policy.</p>
<p>Our strict purchasing policies for wild-caught fish, partnerships with leading scientific organizations, public advocacy, pioneering transparency with standards and labeling, traceability in the supply chain, customer education, fishmonger expertise and industry-leading aquaculture standards combined demonstrate our continued leadership in seafood sustainability.</p>
<p>Here’s a quick rundown on our policies and seafood offerings that Greenpeace reviewed and scored.</p>
<p><strong>Wild-Caught</strong></p>
<p>We excelled in the Sustainable Seafood Policy category of the report, earning the highest score of any retailer.</p>
<p>We purchase as much wild-caught seafood as possible from fisheries certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). For fisheries not MSC-certified, we only source from fisheries rated either a “Best Choice” (green) or “Good Alternative” (yellow) by Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA) and Blue Ocean Institute (BOI). In 2012, we banned red-rated species in our stores — the first national grocer to make this stand.</p>
<p><strong>Canned Tuna</strong></p>
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</div>Greenpeace called out our selection of sustainable canned tuna as the best of any major US retailer, an impactful category for sustainability since America is the largest canned tuna market in the world.
<p>Our new Pole &amp; Line Caught tuna is the most sustainable canned tuna option on the market. The fish in every can is caught one at a time using the pole and line method, which eliminates bycatch of marine mammals, sharks, and turtles. These vulnerable, and in some cases protected species, are caught in tuna fisheries that use less selective fishing methods. And with the fisherman’s signature on each can, shoppers can trace exactly where their fish came from.</p>
<p><strong>Farmed Fish</strong></p>
<p>Greenpeace praised our strict <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/mission-values/seafood-sustainability/aquaculture">Quality Standards</a> for Aquaculture and third-party verification process to ensure that farmed fish come from the world's leaders in environmentally responsible aquaculture.</p>
<p><strong>Labeling and Transparency</strong></p>
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</div>Greenpeace ranked us highly for pioneering case signs with sustainability ratings from MBA and BOI, as well as for our posters, pamphlets, knowledgeable fishmongers, online resources and transparent Quality Standards.
<p>Also of note is our rigorous full traceability from fishery to store, dedicated port buyers selecting fish directly from the docks, and our own seafood processing facilities to create a direct connection to seafood sources.</p>
<p><strong>Red-Listed</strong></p>
<p>Greenpeace scored retailers on their sale of “Red List” seafood, 22 marine species they deem to be the most destructively caught or endangered. We were criticized for selling 14 species on their Red List, although they also note that, “Whole Foods has dropped the sale of species that most other retailers still carry, employs a variety of mitigation tools that dampen the harm of carrying an unmitigated Red List product, and participates in several fishery/aquaculture improvement projects.”</p>
<p>Our sourcing decisions for wild-caught seafood are based on our partners’ scientific evaluations and ratings of specific fisheries — the particular area where the fish are caught and the status of the fish population in that area, the effectiveness of management, and the method of catch — not based on the species in general.</p>
<p>We do not carry any wild-caught seafood from fisheries rated red by MBA and BOI.</p>
<p><strong>MSC Certified</strong></p>
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</div>Greenpeace also called out an “over-reliance” on Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified products and challenges us to use our partnership to influence MSC’s process.
<p>We do work on MSC policy through our role on the MSC Stakeholder Council. We chose the MSC as our partner for fishery certification because of the strength of their international, multi-stakeholder process for developing and implementing standards for fisheries as well as the required third-party chain of custody certification to ensure traceability. We believe that the MSC sustainable seafood certification program is the strongest tool for bringing about changes in fisheries worldwide.</p>
<p>Thanks to Greenpeace for their work on this report and for highlighting that “supermarkets are one of our strongest connections to the oceans.” We agree and will continue to do our part in helping to restore our marine and coastal ecosystems and build a more sustainable seafood market. </p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 19 May 2014 15:47:02 +0000Carrie Brownstein1147636 at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.comA Spotlight on our 2014 Supplier Award Winnershttp://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/spotlight-our-2014-supplier-award-winners
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/person/liz-burkhart">Liz Burkhart</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Last night, we revealed the winners of our coveted annual Supplier Awards, our company’s highest honors for producer partners that embody our mission and <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/values/">core values</a>. Out of thousands of Whole Foods Market suppliers nationwide, fewer than 50 have received one of these distinguished awards.</p>
<p>Two all-star producers earned our top “Supplier of the Year” award for outstanding all-around performance:</p>
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</div><a href="http://www.maryschickens.com/maryandherfamily.htm">Pitman Family Farms</a></strong> (Perishables) – for its deep commitment to animal welfare, leadership in non-GMO-fed meat production and dedication to quality. In addition to raising chickens that meet Steps 3, 4 and 5 on the <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/about-our-products/quality-standards/animal-welfare-standards">5-Step™ Animal Welfare Rating System</a>, Pitman Family Farms recently developed a new crossbreed of chicken that is better suited to an outdoor environment and, most recently, was the first supplier to earn approval to label its meat “Non-GMO Fed.”</li>
<li><strong>Suja Juice </strong>(Non-Perishables) – for combining expertise in mixology, high-pressure pasteurization technology and ethical sourcing to reinvent the fresh juice category and for partnering with us to co-create Suja Elements, an exclusive line of mission-driven, cold-pressed smoothies at value prices. The brand donates to nonprofits 20 cents of every bottle sold as part of the Suja Elements Cause Collective.</li>
</ul><p>“Shoppers trust Whole Foods Market to uphold the highest quality, ingredient and sourcing standards in the industry, and our suppliers go to great lengths to help us deliver on that promise every day,” said Edmund LaMacchia, Whole Foods Market’s global vice president of procurement, perishables. “Our Supplier Award winners set the gold standard for producers in the industry, and we’re proud to celebrate their achievements.”</p>
<p>In addition to our two “Supplier of the Year” honorees, we recognized the cream-of-the-crop supplier partners in 16 categories that highlight several areas of achievement, including product innovation, environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing and excellence in quality standards and assurance.</p>
<p>“Every one of our supplier partners adds flavor, character and integrity to our stores, whether they’re dedicated to land conservation, sustainable fishing methods or simply creating the best-tasting product on our shelves,” said Jim Speirs, Whole Foods Market’s global vice president of procurement, non-perishables. “We’re thankful for their drive, true partnership and commitment to growing their business with Whole Foods Market.”</p>
<p>The retailer revealed its Supplier Award winners at last night’s reception in Austin, Texas, at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel. Additional honorees include:</p>
<p><strong><em>Dedication to Responsible Sourcing</em></strong>:</p>
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</div><a href="http://www.alaffia.com/">Alaffia</a></strong> <em>– </em>for the company’s commitment to higher purpose in all aspects of business – from providing fair wages and advancing gender equality for women in West Africa, who produce its fair trade ingredients, to supporting <a href="https://www.wholeplanetfoundation.org/">Whole Planet Foundation®’s</a> poverty alleviation efforts.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Outstanding Innovation:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://simmonspetfood.simmonsglobal.com/"><strong>Simmons Pet Food</strong></a> – for its extensive research, product development and collaboration with Whole Foods Market to create the first store brand line of grain-free, wet pet foods for our Whole Paws<sup>®</sup> brand.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>New Product Innovation:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://gothamgreens.com/"><strong>Gotham Greens</strong></a><strong><em> – </em></strong>for creating a first-of-its kind rooftop greenhouse garden on Whole Foods Market’s Brooklyn store. The garden provides customers fresh, delicious salad items while reducing food miles, recycling 100 percent of water used and using integrated pest management practices. </li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Environmental Stewardship:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.alterecofoods.com/"><strong>Alter Eco Foods</strong></a><strong> –</strong> for the brand’s long history of responsible sourcing, and for launching its new fair trade truffle line in innovative, compostable packaging – all the way down to each candy wrapper – that could easily degrade in both home and commercial compost operations.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Best New Product:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.browncowfarm.com/"><strong>Brown Cow</strong></a> – for helping Whole Foods Market to reinvent the yogurt category with the exclusive launch and stunning success of its <a href="http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/understanding-our-seal/">Non-GMO Project Verified</a> Greek yogurt, the first-ever conventional non-GMO verified yogurt on the market.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Organic and Non-GMO Supply Chain Commitment:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.drbronner.com/"><strong>Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps</strong></a> – for strong commitment to organic and non-GMO ingredient sourcing and support for GMO labeling transparency. Dr. Bronner’s donated more than $2.3 million and rallied dozens of fellow suppliers to support “Yes” on 522 in Washington state, a GMO labeling ballot initiative that Whole Foods Market also endorsed. The company also produced a “Yes on 522” Soap bottle label to prove that labeling foods would not drive up costs.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Best Partnership:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.xerces.org/"><strong>The Xerces Society</strong></a> – for its tireless advocacy and research to protect pollinators like honeybees and monarch butterflies, which are vital to the global food supply; for its partnership with Whole Foods Market to raise awareness and funds for research through the “Share the Buzz” campaign, and for its work to help suppliers use pollinator-friendly sourcing and production methods.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Excellence in Cheese</em></strong>:</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.vermontcreamery.com/"><strong>Vermont Creamery</strong></a> – for commitment to amazing quality products, supporting team member education, for partnering with Whole Foods Market to develop exclusive maple syrup and sea salt butter and vanilla crème fraiche. The brand is also recognized for its contribution to sustainable agriculture through a new commercial goat dairy with support from Evergreen Conservation Partners and Whole Foods Market’s <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/mission-values/caring-communities/local-producer-loan-program">Local Producer Loan Program</a>.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Outstanding Wine and Beer Supplier:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.naturalmerchants.com/"><strong>Natural Merchants</strong></a> – for importing only the finest organically grown and produced wines, including no-sulfite-added and biodynamic choices, and for its environmental stewardship and commitment to supporting family-owned wineries. Top brands include Spartico, VERTVS, Bodegas Iranzo and Cantine Pizzolato.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Commodity Ingredients:</em></strong></p>
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<img alt="Blue Diamond Growers -- 2014 Whole Foods Market Supplier Award Winner" class="media-image media-image-right" style="width: 247px; height: 164px; margin: 5px; float: right;" title="Blue Diamond Growers -- 2014 Whole Foods Market Supplier Award Winner" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/sites/default/files/media/Global/Blogs/Supplier%20awards_0.JPG" /></div>
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</div><a href="https://www.bluediamond.com/">Blue Diamond Growers</a></strong> – for consistent, high quality almond products, excellent communication and partnership to meet our business needs, and for leadership in the conservation of honeybees and other pollinators that play an important role in the global food supply.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Excellence in Product Quality:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.driscolls.com/home2?utm_expid=71724507-17.DLhU44fAS7ypqPZVUNHy8w.1&amp;utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F"><strong>Driscoll’s</strong></a> <strong>(Perishables)</strong> – for consistently delivering exceptional quality, service and outstanding flavor that shoppers crave in an important and beloved category – berries.</li>
<li><strong>RAW SEAFOOD (Non-perishables)</strong> – for innovation, responsiveness, flexibility and always investing in high quality and service.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Product with a Purpose:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://delmonacofoods.com/"><strong>Del Monaco Foods</strong></a><strong><em> – </em></strong>for its strong alignment with Whole Foods Market’s missions – from sourcing local and organic products to supporting Whole Planet Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation – and for being a go-to partner in food safety and transparency for more than 13 years.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Excellence in Standards:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://kvarfisk.no/"><strong>Kvaroy Fiskeoppdrett, AS </strong></a>– for delivering premium quality farmed salmon that is third-party audited to Whole Foods Market’s industry-leading aquaculture standards. Based in Kvaroy, a small island off the coast of northwestern Norway, this family-run fishery is the epitome of community, integrity and standards, driving an exceptional product.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Outstanding Quality Assurance:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.traceregister.com/en/"><strong>Trace Register</strong></a> – for creating a tool to track Whole Foods Market’s seafood purchases from source to store, ensuring quality, safety and sustainability for customers, and for its partnership in training and assisting producers and buyers on traceability.</li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Distinguished Service:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://fairtradeusa.org/"><strong>Fair Trade USA</strong></a><strong><em> – </em></strong>for outstanding commitment to improving the lives of farmers and farmworkers, and for evolving its work to expand the reach of the Fair Trade and Whole Trade Guarantee programs, all while maintaining the highest integrity. With Fair Trade USA’s support, Whole Foods Market continues to offer shoppers more high quality, ethically sourced products that benefit the people and communities that produce them. </li>
</ul><p><strong><em>Special Recognition:</em></strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.oceanbeauty.com/"><strong>Ocean Beauty</strong></a> – for consistently delivering outstanding wild Alaskan salmon and halibut that meet Whole Foods Market’s strict specifications, and for partnering with port buyers to ensure fishermen are recognized and treated with respect.</li>
<li><strong>Myrna Fossum – </strong>for sharing her deep passion and incredible experience of sensory evaluation, and for teaching Whole Foods Market team members how to use their senses to helps improve our products.</li>
</ul><p>Now that you’ve learned about the suppliers we think are tops this year, leave a comment and tell us about a company or product that you love and why.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 23 Apr 2014 20:00:00 +0000Liz Burkhart900631 at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.comGMO Transparency: One-Year Updatehttp://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/gmo-transparency-one-year-update
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/person/ac-gallo">A.C. Gallo</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>It’s been a year since Whole Foods Market <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/our-commitment-gmo-labeling">pledged to label products in our stores by 2018</a> so our customers can tell whether they contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms). In the last 12 months, we’ve made a lot of progress towards our goal of total GMO transparency and I’m excited to share that with you here.</p>
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<p>There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to implement a change of this magnitude. To get started, we first had to decide what standards we would put in place to track GMO transparency. Third-party verification is important for any non-GMO claims, so we’ve taken a strong stand: If a product in our stores is labeled non-GMO, it must be either:</p>
<ul><li>Certified organic (since the organic standard prohibits the use of GMO ingredients already); or</li>
<li>Verified by the Non-GMO Project.</li>
</ul><p>That’s it. We are serious about the claims made on the products you buy.</p>
<p>With the standard in place, our supplier partners were able to leap in with amazing work on product innovations, updates and changes. We’re finding more and more food producers becoming interested in making the transition to going certified organic, non-GMO or both. Since we announced our GMO transparency goal last year, the Non-GMO Project has enrolled more than 10,000 products and verified 4,622 products, representing 1,500 different brands.</p>
<p>Right now, we have more than 6,000 products represented by more than 500 brands that are sourced non-GMO. And of our own 365 Everyday Value® line of products, more than two-thirds are either certified organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, or both, which is a ten percent increase since our announcement a year ago. And we are making progress in our prepared foods too. For example, we only use Non-GMO Project Verified canola oil in foods prepared in our kitchens. Buyers for each department in our stores are examining the products we carry and how they can continue to move towards meeting our 2018 deadline.</p>
<p>And we are going beyond finished packaged products with a focus on meat, dairy, eggs and fish. To be labeled as non-GMO or organic, animals providing these products must be fed Non-GMO or organic feed. We are working within the farming and aquaculture industries to explore new sources of non-GMO and organic feed. In turn, this has encouraged some farmers to transition to growing Non-GMO and organic crops. By 2018 we should have a good selection of non-GMO fed animal products and are still deciding how we will label products from animals that have eaten GMO feed.</p>
<p>A few other areas have complicated issues to resolve around GMO transparency and we’ll keep you informed about our progress as we move forward. For example, many supplements are manufactured using GMO ingredients. After examining this area and consulting with our suppliers, we realize that it will take the industry time to develop non-GMO sources. While they do that work, we are addressing how to label these products so they will be transparent for our customers.</p>
<p>Beer, wine and cheese will also need special consideration, since the use of genetically modified enzymes is fairly common when making these products. Also, federal alcohol labeling laws may not allow GMO labels. Given that hurdle, we are looking at other labeling methods such as shelf signage as a way to identify those products that may contain GMO enzymes. </p>
<p>We’ll continue to keep you updated on our march toward GMO transparency. Learn more at <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/gmo-your-right-know">GMO - Your Right to Know</a>. Thanks for your interest, concern and support. All of us — Whole Foods Market customers, suppliers and team members — are focused on the end goal: total GMO transparency.</p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 07 Mar 2014 11:00:00 +0000A.C. Gallo490301 at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.comArtificial Trans Fats Unacceptable at Whole Foods Market Since 2003http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/artificial-trans-fats-unacceptable-whole-foods-market-2003
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-author field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/person/margaret-wittenberg">Margaret Wittenberg</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p></p><div class="media media-element-container media-full media-float-right"><div id="file-278456" class="file file-image file-image-jpeg">
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</div>Want to avoid artificial trans fats? Shopping with us makes it easy because Whole Foods Market removed these unhealthy fats from all the food products we sell back in 2003.
<p>And ten years later, the Food and Drug Association finally came to the same conclusion, announcing their plans to banish trans fats from our food supply. Their announcement has rattled the manufacturers of the remaining vestiges of artificial trans-fat-containing food and snack products still on the market.</p>
<p>While you won’t find these products in our Whole Foods Market stores, they are in many other grocery and convenience stores as well as in restaurants throughout the country. Listed in ingredient labels as “partially hydrogenated oil” — the formal name for artificial trans fats, it can be found currently in many familiar items such as coffee creamers, canned frostings, microwave popcorn, chewy candies, cookies, crackers, and cakes.</p>
<p>We sometimes get questions about the qualifier “artificial” when we talk about trans fats. That’s because naturally occurring trans fats can be found in small quantities in meat and dairy products as the result of a natural process in which microbes in the stomachs of ruminant animals transform unsaturated fatty acids into trans fats. As the chemical structure and location of naturally occurring trans fat bonds in the molecule are different from that of artificial trans fats, it is generally considered that the naturally-occurring trans fats both metabolize in the body differently and are less harmful.</p>
<p>But the manufacture of artificially created trans-fats is not a new concept; it was first developed in 1905 as an inexpensive alternative to butter and lard, transforming liquid vegetable oils into fats that are more solid at room temperature by heating the oils under pressure while adding hydrogen gas. Manufacturers like these “partially hydrogenated fats” because they are inexpensive, emulate the consistency and “mouth-feel” of butter and lard, and make the product more resilient to rancidity, thus extending their product’s shelf life.</p>
<p>And, the development of non-animal-based hydrogenated fats to make margarine, along with the crackers, cookies, cakes and the like made from it, was also a big draw for vegans and many vegetarians. By popular demand, such items had been available since the early days of natural food stores, coops and restaurants.</p>
<p>Partially hydrogenated oils got another boost in the 1990s when informational campaigns touting the hazardous effects of saturated fats were in vogue, prompting many manufacturers to switch from butter, lard and tropical oils such as palm and coconut oil to using partially hydrogenated fats.</p>
<p>However, inklings that there was a shadow side of artificial trans fats began with news of research done in 1990 by Dutch scientists when they claimed these partially hydrogenated fats not only raised “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol but also reduced the otherwise protective “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol—something even saturated fat didn’t do. </p>
<p>Complaints and concerns from industry trade groups, nutritionists and government agencies initiated numerous studies over the years to either refute or support these early results. By 2002, in their “Letter Report on Dietary Reference Intakes for Trans-Fatty Acids,” the U.S. National Academy of Sciences recommended that intake of artificial trans fats should be zero — a decision based on the undeniable relationship between trans fat intake and increased risk of coronary heart disease.</p>
<p>In the meantime, we at Whole Foods Market kept close watch on the issue. While the government was not making a definitive stand concerning artificial trans fats, we always seek to set our quality standards to err on the side of what’s best for our customers. So in early 2002 we made the decision to move forward with eliminating hydrogenated oil products from our stores by mid-2003.</p>
<p>The next 18 months was a flurry of work with manufacturers of margarine, shortening, cookies, crackers, ice cream, cakes, etc., encouraging them to develop non-hydrogenated oil replacement products so that our customers who wanted non-animal fat-based product still had plenty of options. The enthusiasm and partnership of our suppliers with us to take on the tough challenge to create good tasting alternatives was very much appreciated, not only by us at Whole Foods Market but ultimately by our customers, as well.</p>
<p>In fact, the elimination of artificial trans fats is emblematic of how we develop our quality standards at Whole Foods Market. Keeping current as much as possible as new information emerges, listening to our customers, working with our suppliers to create new products and alternative production methods that help support your well-being and our environment — it is all a part of our dedication to helping you make informed choices and providing you with the highest quality foods available.</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:15:12 +0000Margaret Wittenberg371506 at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com